Wesley’s jaw locks, muscles flexing as he remains behind the bar.
“But I need you to talk to Rose.”
I miss saying her name. Miss calling herBlue. The nickname reminds me of the time she tried to get a reaction out of me for vandalizing my cart. And all I saw was that bright blue smudge on her right cheek.
He turns his chin to the side at the mention of her name. And I’m damn sure it’s the memory of her calling him out—and then shutting him out.
Something hard hits my chest but I push it aside to focus on what matters here. And that’s my best friend’s relationship with his sister. “You said her flight is Saturday and not to miss it.”
“Yeah, so?”
“You really want to find out what happens after she gets on that plane? Are you that unafraid that you’re willing to let her go back without talking to her?”
My gut twists at my own words.
He slams the register. “This town not big enough for you or something? Not enough women throwing themselves at you?”
I don’t know what Wesley sees, but women don’t throw themselves at me. “Think you’re confusing me with Silas.”
He rolls his eyes and maybe I’ll give him that. I haven’t had a problem getting a date for a night here and there since Bonnie.
But that’s all they’ve been. Sometime in the last three years I stopped seeing the women I’m with as who they are. I only see Bonnie.
No. I only see what Bonniedid.
And no one was worth trying something more with. Until Rose.
“This ain’t about me or our friendship.” He scoffs. “It never was.”
“Make her talk, Wes,” I shout impatiently. “And take the time to listen. You might lose her if you don’t.”
He frowns, narrowing his eyes at me. “Do you know something I don’t?”
I don’t deny it. “I’ve known you for over ten years. Trust me when I say this is the best advice you’ll ever get from me. Don’t fuck it up.”
32
Rose
It’s been five days since he left my cottage with a promise to talk soon.
But he can’t avoid me today. It’s Thursday and he needs to sign off on payroll.
He wouldn’t avoid me—not when I’m supposed to leave in two days.
I came in early today to total up the cards a few times before going to see him. I’ve been too anxious and can’t have it show in my work.
Ginger swings back in her chair. “You going to run those over soon? I can get started on them early today. It’s a little slow.”
“Yep, just finishing up,” I tell her.
“Great, and then .?.?.” She looks around. “Well, maybe you can rearrange some of the display shelves over by the gift shop?”
I swallow. “Ginger, you don’t really have anything for me to do, do you?”
“Not really, you’ve been pretty efficient.”
I smile at her. “Well, I’ll go get these signed off for you and then maybe take a long lunch.”
